Introduction
While on a flight to Denmark a couple of years ago I happened to read this interview with Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang. Towards the end he talks about feasibility (and proximity) of our future missions to the Moon. This subject always gest me excited. If there’s one thing I’m dying to see is a manned missions to the Moon and Mars in my lifetime (I was born in 1971, so I missed by a split hair the first Moon Landing).
I hope we do it soon Christer!
Why go back?
My personal take is that of the dreamer, the 12 years old: why go back to the Moon? Because it’s there…. I mean look at it (photo credits: my uncle, Andrea Niccoli)!!
Beautiful Moon. In evidence the Mare Crisium, and craters Cleomedes, Langrenus, and Vendelinus.
Beautiful red Moon.
Beautiful Moon. In evidence the Sinus Iridum in the top left, the Copernicus crater in the centre of the image, and the Apenninus Montes just North of it with the Eratosthenes crater.
Beautiful Moon. In evidence the Gassendi crater in the centre of the image, and the Tycho crater to the right with one of the Rays.
On a more serious note, this is what Lunar scientist Paul Spudis has to say about why we should go back:
Moon exploration resources, and educational and vintage material
Rift valleys rewrite moon’s fiery history
NASA’s LRO Creating Unprecedented Topographic Map of Moon
Moon composition mosaic Galileo
Recent geological activity Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
NASA’s Beyond Earth Solar System exploration program
We choose the Moon – Wonderful, interactive recreation of Apollo 11 Lunar Landing – 40th Anniversary celebration
Raw Video: Restored Video of Apollo 11 Moonwalk
All Apollos’ Lunar Surface Journals
BBC – In video: When man went to the Moon
BBC –Aldrin: I was relieved to be second
Fun / idiotic stuff
Space 1999 (cheesy, but unforgotten ’70s TV show, full pilot) – Moon breaks away from Earth.
Dumb and dumber – We landed on the moon – pure Jim Carey’s genius!!!.